behalf

/bɪˈhɑːf/

noun

1.

interest, part, benefit, or respect (only in the phrases on (someone's) behalf, onor US and Canadianin behalf of, in this (orthat) behalf)

Usage note

On behalf of is sometimes wrongly used where on the part of is intended. The distinction is that on behalf of someone means `for someone's benefit' or `representing someone', while on the part of someone can be roughly paraphrased as `by someone'. So, the following example is incorrect: another act of apparent negligence, this time not on behalf of the company itself, but on behalf of its banker, when what was meant was there was negligence by the company's banker

Word Origin

Old English be halfe from be by + halfe side; compare Old Norse af halfu